On April 3, Android Authority, citing sources within Google, revealed new details about the upcoming Pixel 10—Google’s next-generation flagship smartphone. If the leaks are accurate, the Pixel 10, expected to launch this August, will mark a major shift in Google’s hardware strategy by introducing a telephoto lens to the standard (non-Pro) model for the first time.
Breaking Tradition
Since the Pixel 6, Google has followed a consistent approach: reserving the telephoto camera for its Pro models while equipping the base versions with just two rear lenses—a wide-angle main camera and an ultra-wide shooter. With the Pixel 10, that formula appears to be changing. The base model will reportedly include a triple-camera system: a main wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a telephoto lens, bringing it closer to the Pro lineup in versatility.
Since the introduction of the Pixel 6, Google has maintained a steady strategy: allocating the telephoto camera exclusively to its Pro models, while the standard versions are equipped with only two rear lenses—a primary wide-angle camera and an ultra-wide lens.
More Lenses, Less Quality?
While the Pixel 10 may gain a third camera, it won’t be without compromise. According to reports, the sensors used in the base model will be downgraded compared to its predecessor—and a noticeable step below what’s expected in the Pixel 10 Pro.
The main camera is said to use a Samsung GN8 sensor with a 1/1.95″ size, smaller than the 1/1.31″ Samsung sensor found in the Pixel 9. The ultra-wide camera will reportedly shift from a Sony IMX858 (1/2.55″) to the smaller IMX712 sensor (1/3.1″). While software algorithms can compensate for some hardware limitations, sensor size still plays a critical role—especially in low-light photography where larger sensors have a clear edge in light capture.
A Balancing Act
This appears to be Google’s attempt to strike a balance between enhancing camera features and keeping the Pixel 10 at an accessible price point. By including more lenses while using less expensive components, Google may be trying to appeal to users who want versatility without paying Pro-level prices.
Ultimately, the Pixel 10 could represent a new direction for the Pixel lineup: more flexible camera systems even on the base model—but with some trade-offs in image quality.